Pensioners across Australia will be relieved to have heard Tony Abbott tonight confirm he will keep all the Age Pension increases provided as part of the carbon price compensation if the Coalition wins government in September, said leading seniors advocacy body COTA Australia.
COTA Chief Executive Ian Yates said the hard won pension increases, although modest, make a big difference to the standard of living for many older Australians.
“This commitment will give peace of mind to many older people who are just managing to make ends meet on the pension and wondering how they would manage if the Coalition Government didn’t match the Gillard Government’ increases.
“COTA Australia and other seniors advocates had been nervous given the reluctance of the Coalition to reveal their plans on this issue up to now.
“Pensioners will certainly be resting easier tonight. COTA welcomes this important commitment from the Coalition”
However Mr Yates said COTA was very disappointed that maintaining the pension would mean cuts to allowances for unemployed older workers.
“We understand there are tough decisions to be made when considering budget spending,” Mr Yates said.
“But it is disappointing to see the supplementary allowance cut for those on benefits such as Newstart on the same day as a motion passed in the House of Representatives declaring that the rate of Newstart Allowance is too low.
“A third of long term Newstart recipients are aged over 55 and living on or below the poverty line as it is. It is a shame the Coalition has given to some older Australians and taken from others.
“Similarly deferring the ramp up of superannuation to 12% and axing the low income super contributions will just mean lower income older people will have less to live on in retirement and be forced onto a full pension sooner.”
Media contact: Ian Yates 0418 835 439, Olivia Greentree 0439 411 774